Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.PHOTO:davidormsby.files.wordpress.com

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Cullerton Wants Votes on Pensions and Gay Marriage

By AP

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Illinois Senate President John Cullerton wants to push forward with a pension overhaul "as quickly as possible" and says the timing is good to move forward with legalizing gay marriage.

The Chicago Democrat on Monday stressed the need for addressing Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension problem, which he says drains the state budget.

Cullerton introduced a bill after lawmakers were sworn in this month. Senate Bill 1 combines a Senate-approved measure along with a bill that failed to get a House roll-call. He says he's working to get support. The Senate reconvenes next week.